What are the most popular women’s sneakers of all time? Are those models designed only between the Seventies and Eighties to be considered the best sneakers ever created? Answering such questions is no small feat for sure, as, all things considered, only those models that either cyclically come back in style, or went sold out in a matter of seconds as soon as they were launched, should be considered as the most popular trainers for women of all time.
Since we love shoes (and clothes, and books about shoes and clothes) so much, we decided to dive into the crazy world of women’s sneakers to find out which the actual best women’s trainers are, compiling a list of 15 best pairs of sneakers for women ever created and worn.
Among them, surprisingly, we also found recent additions, so we are literally living in a time where iconic masterpieces are currently created, the patterns of which will be everywhere in future vintage stores. Get ready to be surprised!
1. Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
Of course, we couldn’t help but start with our list of the most popular women’s sneakers with what could be regarded as the pair of sneakers everyone knows, no matter what – Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. Named after Indiana-born basketball player Chuck Taylor, this pair of Converse sneakers was the first one to be endorsed by a famous player back in the Thirties, with his endorsement now being responsible for the number one best sports sneakers of all time. Get your favorite color at Converse!
2. Gucci Sneakers
Who says luxury brands are not made for sportswear? Italian fashion house Gucci was the first high-end luxury label to ever design tennis trainers, and is currently one of the most coveted fashion houses when it comes to both men’s and women’s trainers.
Modeled on actual traditional tennis shoes, Gucci’s first-ever pair of sneakers debuted in 1984 and featured the house’s iconic stripes, the patterns of which are now getting embellished and revisited with all kinds of adornments by visionary creative director Alessandro Michele. You can pick your favorite design of embellished Gucci women’s sneakers online on Gucci.com.
3. Puma Cycle Sneakers
A perennial staple, Puma’s Cycle sneakers debuted in 1973, instantly becoming a status symbol. Now revisited in all kinds of colors and materials, Puma’s Cycle sneakers are the best sneakers for all those women who love polished, slightly high-street flamboyant styles.
4. Adidas Stan Smith Trainers
Whether you were a teenager in the Eighties or the ‘00s, a good pair of Adidas Stan Smith shoes was the number one request at any birthday party. That’s because Adidas Stan Smith is undeniably one of women’s all-time best sneakers due to its coziness, edginess, and versatility.
It is also one of those pairs of trainers that don’t get old whether one is an actual teenager, a twenty- or a thirty-something, and it has been hitting it big ever since its release in the early Seventies. Not for nothing, around 30 million pairs of Adidas Stan Smith shoes have been sold worldwide since 1971, and you can get your pair at Adidas.com!
5. Puma Eskiva Sneakers
Among all the best women’s sneakers of all time, there is a specific pair of Puma trainers which is usually either unconditionally loved, or slightly despised, i.e. Puma’s Eskiva. Re-designed from an old pair of sneakers launched in the Sixties, Puma’s Eskiva is the best pair of sneakers for all those women who love unisex vibes and strong boxer aesthetics, as their fearless figure is one-of-a-kind for sure.
6. Maison Margiela Coated Knit Sneakers
Mostly haute couture fashion lovers will appreciate (and/or probably already own) these woman’s sneakers, and you might have already guessed that it’s Maison Margiela’s Coated Knit Sneakers. This pair of women’s trainers could be described as a sort of couture-esque version of Nike’s iconic Free Flyknit 4.0, and features a knit upper with a white rubber sole, all dipped into Margiela’s signature dry paint. Love it or hate it, this pair of women’s trainers is an absolute must-have, and you can get it from Forward!
7. Vans Old Skool Lite
These sneakers are so iconic and legendary they need no introduction. Now featured in almost every #OOTD post on Instagram, the Vans Old Skool Lite trainers were initially meant for the skater community, but soon became a status symbol for everybody due to their unique structure and ultra-comfortable materials. Pick up this pair of classic women’s sneakers at Vans!
8. Gosha Rubchinskiy x Fila Women’s Trainers
When Italian label Fila presented its designer Gosha Rubchinskiy spring/ summer 2017 collection, everyone instantly realized Fila was finally rising from its ashes. Among all the pieces, the collection included one of the best pairs of women’s sneakers of all time, the silhouette of which may appear pretty plain at first glance, but instantly becomes interesting as soon as one takes a closer look at the quirky sole.
9. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 Trainers
Along with the Vans Old Skool Lite and Fila’s above-mentioned trainers, the Kanye West x Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 trainers definitely are the most Instagrammed sneakers of all time. Genderless and equally loved and purchased by both men and women, West’s Yeezy Boost 350 trainers are an absolute must for those who love to collect sneakers (especially Adidas sneakers), and won’t go out of style anytime soon for sure.
10. Nike Cortez Sneakers
Originally designed in 1972, this pair of women’s sneakers is (once again) having its moment right now, and we couldn’t be happier! With this vintage-looking pair of goodies being all over the social media, sneakerheads can easily find and purchase it, as the higher the demand is, the easiest is the availability. Stylish yet sporty, it is one of Nike’s best shoes ever, and you can find it in a myriad of bubbly colors online on Nike.com.
11. Reebok x Vetements Instapump Fury
Back to the Instagram “it-shoe” craze, we had to add the Reebok x Vetements Instapump to our list. As it often happens with Vetements, the French (anti-)fashion house teamed up with the sportswear label to create a classic any woman (who loved to draw on her shoes when she was a teenager) would wear, especially if that specific woman is also into owning limited-edition sneakers that are hard to find (but definitely harder to get rid of).
12. Superga x Sandro Trainers
Let’s be honest – we (almost) all flaunted a pair of Superga sneakers at one point in our lives. Comfy and utterly cute, they are the best sneakers regarding both versatility and wearability. Since we couldn’t make up our minds, choosing either a specific color or model, we decided to include one of Superga’s latest additions, i.e. the Superga x Sandro trainers, made in collaboration with French fashion label Sandro.
13. Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
Cyclically under the spotlight, Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 is the most renowned and iconic sneaker ever released by the famed Japanese label. Designed two years before the 1968 Mexico Olympics (that is where their name comes from), Onitsuka Tiger’s Mexico 66 trainers are currently living the time of their lives once again, meaning that if you already own a pair, it is time to proudly channel it! Get it from Revolve!
14. White Mountaineering x Adidas NMD Trail Sneakers
One of the industry’s all-time best women’s trainers is definitely the Adidas White Mountaineering NMD Trail sneakers, the structure of which is close to Adidas’ legacy, and its design to the Japanese label’s iconic color palette.
Launched in 2016, this pair of women’s sneakers is actually having a moment now, and will very likely become this fall’s must-have sneaker. Here you have you fall’s fashion investment!
15. Nike Air Max Sneakers
Speaking of women’s sneakers that are in the spotlight again, we couldn’t, of course, omit the Nike Air Max trainers. Launched in 1985, these sneakers also marked an important milestone in the sneaker industry due to the revolutionary air cushioning.
It is basically the best sneaker whether you are looking for something to match your normcore-inspired outfit with or something to run a marathon in. In either case, this pair of sneakers is a win-win choice, and you can own a pair, purchasing your favorite color option from Nike.com!
Photos via @sweatshirtsanddresses, Adidas, Nike, Gucci
